Month: February 2019

In the last few weeks there has been a groundswell of support for the Norway Option. It will hopefully keep us in Europe this year and next. No, it is not ‘Common Market 2’, I’m talking about the resurgence of Man United under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, their new caretaker manager. Since taking over from Jose Mourinho, United have gained 25 points in nine league games taking them above Chelsea and into the coveted top 4 league position which, if sustained, will guarantee them a place in the European Champions League next season.

I know you may be thinking, ‘How does this apply to me?’

Well, here is what Ole has done and you can apply the same concepts in your role:

Ole leads with a smile and has created a positive atmosphere from day one. His language is positive and his focus is on success. Think of it as focusing on winning rather than NOT losing.

He has achieved this by adopting a counter attacking strategy focused on scoring goals whilst strengthening the defence with attacking and midfield players who willingly track back.

He coaches the strikers and passes on his own knowledge to build their confidence and capability.

He has looked at strengths and put people in their best roles.

Performance is rewarded and therefore his best performing players are selected, although he does also give others a chance to shine.

The players are happier, the fans are happier, and the United Board may well go for the ‘Norway’ option on a full-time basis.

That was until they got stuffed by PSG in the first leg of the knockout recently! Will Ole be able to bounce back and win 3 nil in Paris? That is the test. Has he got the resilience to bounce back after a setback? And have you?

So…I was having a girlie night in with my friend’s 12-year-old daughter and after painting toe nails and face packs, what else can you do? Personally, I would crack open the wine but I have to remember I’m a responsible adult, so a movie seems to be the next best thing.

At this point I must state that this article comes with a ‘health warning’: If you’ve not yet seen Shrek 3 and want to, I’m about to ruin the story line for you.

It starts with King Harold on his deathbed with his dying wish that Shrek should inherit the throne. Shrek, on the other hand, so doesn’t want it. He values his swamp and his life with Princess Fiona far more than any crown. He pleads with the King if there is a direct heir that could rule the land of Far, Far Away and as it happens there is…Princess Fiona’s cousin, Artie.

To preserve his private values Shrek sets out on a mission to find Artie and discovers him in what we would describe as a public school. Artie is ridiculed by fellow class mates and teachers alike, he has no credence, no sporting accolades and no apparent financial assets – Artie considers himself a loser because everyone else does. Shrek assures Artie that this is not the case, that the old King valued him and wanted him to rule the Kingdom. So off they go, back to the land of Far, Far Away.

In their absence evil Prince Charming has waged war on Far, Far Away in order to take the Kingdom for himself. He has secured the aid of fairy tale villains manipulating their weaknesses. Shrek and Artie return to chaos. They are taken captive and Prince Charming, in a bid to end the life of the true heir, demands to know who the old King named as his successor. To save Artie’s life Shrek admits it’s himself. Artie is released but all his new-found self-belief is shattered, and he once more becomes ‘the loser’. Wallowing in negativity and self-pity Artie turns his back on Shrek, who awaits his death at the hands of Charming.

Princess Fiona and friends (who have been imprisoned) have managed to escape captivity and come across the despondent Artie. They tell him that Shrek has sacrificed himself to save Artie’s life. Artie is mortified by this news and sets out with them to put things right. The party confront Charming as he is about to kill Shrek, a fight ensues, and the villains capture Fiona. Artie, learning from his experiences, gives a rousing speech and convinces the villains that just because they are being treated like losers does not mean that they have to be losers. Touched by Artie’s speech, all the villains agree to give up their evil ways. Charming is got rid of, Shrek preserves his values and returns to his swamp and Artie becomes a worthy King.

What a fantastic story that depicts how self-worth, belief, values and positivity win the day!

Now is the best time to set goals. That is if you have not already set them at the beginning of January. In fact, any day is a good day to set goals if you have not started yet!

Your goals should be ‘Towards’. By that I mean they should be set with the intention of gaining something you want rather than the intention of getting ‘Away From’ something. An example of an ‘Away From’ goal is: “I want to make x amount of money by the end off the month because I am worried that there is a lack of sales at the moment”. When your goal is a positive towards it will release the right energy. e.g. “I want to make x amount of money by the end of the month because that will mean I have smashed my sales target!” This applies to all goals personal and professional. A personal goal for me as a learner golfer is to get my handicap by Easter. Not hitting less bad shots.

I have learned that a goal only becomes a goal when you DECIDE to do it. This is a commitment rather than an, ‘I’m going to.’ By deciding and committing it presupposes action.

Next it is important that you BELIEVE you can achieve it. If you have any doubts, you will not have the same energy. A simple way of increasing your certainty is to ask yourself, “On a scale of one to 10 how certain am I that I can achieve my goal?” Maybe you give yourself a six. Next, ask yourself how certain you are that there is a sofa in your lounge or a carpet on the floor. It will seem an obvious ten! Now, because your brain will still be holding that belief and feeling, straight away ask yourself, “How certain am I that I can achieve my goal?”. It should increase. Repeat the process very quickly, over and over, until it is a ten.

A great way to write out a goal is to make it as if it has already been achieved: “I play golf once a week and I am now playing off 24.”

Finally, take action and read your goal every day.